USC pulls off sweep on National Signing Day: Mama, Smith and Jackson sign in strong class

USC football head coach Steve Sarkisian meets with the media to discuss Trojan football letter-of-intent signees. CA. February 5, 2014 (Photo by John McCoy / Los Angeles Daily News)

USC pulled off a Signing Day hat trick that vaulted the Trojans an impressive 24 places in the recruiting rankings and provided Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian with a top 10 inagural class.

Serra wide receiver Adoree’ Jackson, Long Beach Poly safety/wide receiver John “Juju” Smith and St. John Bosco offensive lineman Damien Mama all announced they would attend USC to provide a clean sweep of the state’s top players.

“We really nailed it with a couple of big bangs today,” Sarkisian said. “Pretty exciting day. This is a really complete class.”

But the biggest bang occurred when Jackson’s letter of intent was delayed for several hours before it arrived at USC. Several sources said the delay involved getting the signature of Jackson’s father, Christopher, on the letter. However, Christopher Jackson told ESPN there were no issues.

“Wherever he decided he wanted to go, that’s where he’s going,” he said. “It has nothing to do with me.”

Jackson’s drama nearly overshadowed a day of only good news for USC. Smith was believed to be considering Oregon but selected the Trojans. In a surprise, Sarkisian said Smith would start his career at wide receiver instead of safety.

One reason is Sarkisian’s concerns over USC’s depth at wide receiver. Sarkisian was not allowed to say what position Jackson would play during his press conference because his letter had not arrived. He did say Mama could play offensive tackle or offensive guard, despite being projected as a guard.

The trio’s arrival vaulted USC from No. 34 to No. 10 in the national rankings by Rivals.com. Sarksian admitted he did not know where Jackson or Smith were going until they announced.

“We had a good feeling,” Sarkisian said. “(But) we really didn’t know. We sat there just like everybody else. At the end there was a little bit of that anxiousness and excitement. What an opportunity for them.”

Sarkisian pointed out that 12 of the 19 players USC signed occurred after he got hired.

“We signed a really balanced class,” he said. “One that is competitive and has competitive individuals of high character.”

On the other hand, players like Mama were expected to attend USC nearly from Day 1. And Smith admitted USC was his “dream school” from the beginning.

Even the mercurial Jackson said he grew up watching former USC tailback Reggie Bush.

“I wanna put them back over the top,” Jackson said.

Mama’s arrival could be for just a single year before he plans to go on a Mormon mission after his freshman season.

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Sarkisian singled out a couple of lesser-known recruits (linebacker Olajuwon Tucker and safety Uchenna Nwosu) as players he was eager to see practice.

“I’m excited about Uchenna Nwosu,” Sarkisian said. “He and Tucker are tall, long rangy players. They are the athletic-type players in space we need on our defense.”

“The offensive line was a big position of need for us,” Sarkisian said. “To sign five offensive linemen is big. Everyone wants to label them offensive guards, but some could be offensive tackles.”

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Quarterback Max Wittek, who is transferring at the end of the semester, already spoke to Texas, Louisville and Ohio State. The Longhorns are believed to be the frontrunner. Another quarterback, Larry Tuileta, of Honolulu, reneged on his commitment to Hawaii and said he would enroll at USC as a walk-on next fall.